Multilayer interventional catheter

Abstract

The catheter comprises a catheter tube formed of two superposed tubular layers of materials which differ from one another. A tubular mediator layer is arranged between the layers to provide an adhesive anchorage for the layers.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A catheter comprising: a first catheter tube having at least two superposed layers of materials, including an inner layer and an outer layer, with a low-density polyethylene mediator layer arranged between the inner layer and outer layer, secured together and with mechanical properties differing from one another, a lumen in the first catheter tube, and a balloon sealingly surrounding the first catheter tube, whereby the inner layer comprises high-density polyethylene and forms the lumen, and the outer layer comprises a polymer and forms an outer surface of the first catheter tube. 
     
     
       2. A catheter as in  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises polyamide. 
     
     
       3. A catheter as in  claim 1 , further comprising: a second catheter tube disposed about the first catheter tube. 
     
     
       4. A catheter as in  claim 3 , wherein a proximal end of the balloon is connected to a distal end of the second tube, and a distal end of the balloon is connected to a distal end of a first tube. 
     
     
       5. A catheter comprising: a catheter tube having at least two superposed layers of materials, including an inner layer and an outer layer, secured together and with mechanical properties differing from one another, a guidewire lumen in the catheter tube for the sliding fit of a guidewire, and a balloon with a distal end sealingly surrounding the catheter tube, wherein the inner layer comprises high-density polyethylene and forms the guidewire lumen, and the outer layer comprises a polymer and forms an outer surface of the catheter tube, and wherein the catheter tube further comprises a mediator layer of low-density polyethylene arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer. 
     
     
       6. A catheter comprising: 
       (a) a tube comprising:  
       (i) an outermost layer comprising a polymer having a first coefficient of friction;  
       (ii) an innermost layer coextensive with the outermost layer and forming a lumen, the innermost layer comprising a high-density polyethylene having a second coefficient of friction which is less than the first coefficient of friction; and  
       (iii) a middle layer disposed between the outermost layer and the innermost layer and affixing the outermost layer to the innermost layer, the middle layer comprising a low-density polyethylene; and  
       (b) a balloon sealed to the tube.  
     
     
       7. A catheter comprising: 
       (a) a first tube comprising:  
       (i) an outermost layer comprising a polymer having a first coefficient of friction;  
       (ii) an innermost layer coextensive with the outermost layer and forming a lumen, the innermost layer comprising a high-density polyethylene having a second coefficient of friction which is less than the first coefficient of friction; and  
       (iii) a middle layer disposed between the outermost layer and the innermost layer and affixing the outermost layer to the innermost layer, the middle layer comprising a low-density polyethylene;  
       (b) a second tube disposed about a portion of the first tube; and  
       (c) a balloon with a distal end sealingly surrounding the first tube and a proximal end sealingly surrounding the second tube.  
     
     
       8. A balloon catheter, comprising: 
       a first elongate catheter tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the first tube including an inner layer, an intermediate layer disposed on the inner layer, and an outer layer disposed on the intermediate layer, the inner layer comprising a high density polyethylene polymer, the intermediate layer comprising a low density polyethylene polymer, and the outer layer comprising a polymer with mechanical properties differing from that of the inner layer; and  
       a balloon connected to the distal end of the first tube.  
     
     
       9. A balloon catheter as in  claim 8 , further comprising: a second elongate catheter tube disposed about the first catheter tube. 
     
     
       10. A balloon catheter as in  claim 9 , wherein a proximal end of the balloon is connected to a distal end of the second tube, and a distal end of the balloon is connected to the distal end of the first tube.